In a battle of which team could care less, the Clippers clearly won. Or lost. Or whatever. The game had a depressing concessionary feel with the Rockets officially out of the playoffs, sitting Kyle Lowry, and the Clippers struggling in the absence of Chris Kaman and the after-effects of Eric Bledsoe’s suspension.

No exact word on why Bledsoe was suspended, other than the standard violation of team policy (Bledsoe was sent home on a commercial flight), but a intently lethargic play overtook the Clippers. While this could be expected of any team, the Clippers lone strategic/tactical strength this season was to play hard. They didn’t ever have a decently run offense (even with Baron a team needs more than PnR-rinse-repeat), their defense only played well when their energy overwhelmed, one player had a monster defensive effort or they surprised a team for a few minutes with zone defense, but their energy, aside from a few games on their 11 game road trip, rarely faltered.

But tonight the Clippers looked beyond lackadaisical and exhausted. They looked like they had planned out their vacation schedule. The Clippers had a small run to start out the game, 6-0 on two Gordon free throws, a Blake slam and a DeAndre layup, but the effectiveness was more due to the sloppiness of the game than the efficacy of the Clipper offense. And then the Clippers decided to give in after Goran Dragic scored a layup, and then Dragic, after being the last player to start back, chased down Mo Williams, completely picked Mo’s pocket and then assisted Kevin Martin’s transition three. The Clipper offense completely faltered, even Blake Griffin missed two dunks and shot 6 for 18 on a smattering of missed dunks, lazy fadeaways, impossible layups and well-contested short shots from Chuck Hayes. It should be mentioned that Eric Gordon played hard and well, scoring 12 points in the first quarter and finishing with 19, but his good play was little more than a backhanded complement, like being called the fastest sloth in the world.

The effort in the game was so bad that even the eternal cheerleader Mike Smith and his partner Ralph Lawler were calling out the players by the end of the second quarter and were thoroughly disappointed by the third. The effort was so bad that the Clippers players cleared out for an isolation play for Jamario Moon early in the third quarter. Is there a worse player on the team in isolation than Jamario?

The game began to take on the machinations of a protest game. I don’t know exactly what Eric Bledsoe did, because there was the report in last night’s game that Bledsoe had turned an ankle and had an MRI. I don’t know why they couldn’t just acknowledge the infraction, if there was one, but covering the truth won’t sit well. This loss to the Rockets could still be an end of season flop, but there was nothing leading up to this game that would rationalize the Clippers play in this game. They have been out of the playoffs, and they haven’t mattered for months. Who knows if the play was just an outlier of laziness or whether Bledsoe’s suspension was a galvanizing event, but the Clipper players appeared more than just tired, but purposefully disinterested. Like they were playing the easiest they could without being accused of outright tanking the game. At no point was there any urgency. And now, this begs the question as to whether Vinny will even be around to see a second season.

Vinny was brought in under the pretenses that he could play the young guys and, outside of starting Ryan Gomes the whole year, he has. But there really hasn’t been much development with Aminu or Bledsoe and Bledsoe’s suspension makes the case that Vinny is even further from reaching Bledsoe and, more importantly, the team.

If there has been one thing in the last few weeks that Vinny has consistently harped on, it has been the effort and consistency of his young guys, which isn’t that difficult of a code for Aminu and Bledsoe (Blake is so far ahead of the rest of the team that he can’t even be considered a rookie). They were challenges to respond. And not only did the rookies respond, but the whole team did. In the worst way possible. I don’t know what will happen in the last game on Wednesday against the Grizzlies, but if I were Vinny, I’d be worried.

If they’re covering up the reason for the suspension it’s gotta be something good. I’m thinking something involving DTS, showers, and hookers. At least we’ll have something to talk about during the offseason.

RAM

That’s too funny!!!

Bongstradamus

After Eric Bledsoe kept calling him “Coach Van Gundy” and offering him a donut every time he complains, Vinny finally broke and sent Eric home.

JoeLuis

It sure looked like a protest to me.
Where do we go from here? Its meaningless.. right,,right?
The next two seasons will be interesting and will show if DTS really wants to win or just make $. He’s got the tools and if we play the cards wisely , we may end up getting another star or two. we’ll see.
We’re soo close, but yet so far…oh me oh my..

RAM

I think DTS is always about making money. He will always be about making money. but if he is smart which I believe he is. winning is more money. Playoffs is more money. Championship! more money. the question is. is he willing to spend more money to make more money. I believe he is. but I saw no proff in that the last year of free agency. plus the hiring of Vinny the black! but as much as I wanted Avery Johnson. he has done nothing with New Jersey. you have to have players. I think we are one player away from the Greatest Clipper team in NBA History!!! no matter who the coach is. Alvin Gentry was the worst coach ever! now look at him with some good players. good players make all the difference! this team just keeps getting gooder! and gooder!!!

Metal Matty

I agree that the game smelled of a PROTEST GAME. First of all, the things you already mentioned. But the wierdest one for me was Randy Foye coming down the court several times during the second half, not looking for anyone and then jacking up his own jump shot.

Even if he were hot, it would be bad offense and an eyebrow raiser. Given he was very cold and doing that….. I don’t know. I don’t recall every seeing anyone do that and certainly not without reporach from other players or a hook from the coach.

Definitely agree Big Vin may be on the hot seat. But this is the first I heard of the Bledsoe suspension.

Aminu was also playing what I would call “senseless” ball. He has regressed quite a bit from the beginning of the season and appears to have received NO coaching of any result.

If I were owner or GM I would turn over this coaching staff. Undiciplined and poorly constructed Offense and Defense.

DeAndre still has no clue on Defense but gets away with big plays based purely on his physical dominance. Aminu and Bledsoe have gotten worse and worse as far as sloppy turnovers.

Overall, it’s gotten ugly. We don’t have the time for this level of disinterest even with the season ticking down. We should be hitting the floor hard with guys working towards something they can build on next year. I don’t see that at all. Every guy is a black hole on offense and the defense is non-existant.

Griffin

Who could we get now that vinnie is basically out of here if clippers don’t play well the last game. As mention before blake body langauge show he doesn’t like vinnie or shows no respect for him. Sorry vin the most u will ever be, will be an assitant coach

orville85

Sterling has a long record of hiring “yes-man” coaches who need the money and lack the stones to stand up to him. I seriously questioned VDN’s hiring at the time, as he was let go from a winning franchise (his lack of experience and inability to close out games). Maybe Blake will be able to exert some influence as to the hiring of a good coach, but, I doubt it’s enough to overcome the greedy Sterling’s need for control. Now that the Blake has first hand knowledge of Sterling’s BS, it’s likely he’s four and gone.

DeMote DeAndre

When DeAndre Jordan starts the Clippers are terrible. He’s got a trivial attitude in general, and it shows on the court and spreads to the rest of the team. He’s also a huge hole in the defense that opposing teams (not just centers) walk through on the way to the basket. And, of course, he can’t do anything on offense but dunk (mostly on follow shots), so then the other teams mostly ignore him and focus even more on Griffin (6-18 last night).

But still, despite all that, the Clipper announcers (mainly Ralph Lawler) are now calling him a quality center and suggesting that the Clippers cannot afford two quality centers with one coming off the bench. Obviously, that’s setting the stage to trade Kaman and his salary.

This is the same kind of nonsense Ralph Lawler use to babble about Davis when Lawler was trying to shill for Davis and sell the Clipper fans the snake oil that Davis was something he’s not. Now Lawler is doing the same shill routine for Jordan.

As for Bledsoe . . . I want to know what his was about. Bledsoe has had turns this season when he’s suddenly gone terrible, and I want to know if there’s some reason behind it. It started when he turned 21, so the obvious question is does it have something to do with drinking, i.e., is he showing up for games drunk. That could explain a recent quick hook he got for “not having his head in the game”. If Bledsoe is a trouble maker, then the fans need to know about it. If he is and it seems like a permanent condition, then the Clippers need to sweep him out the door. I don’t care how fast he is or how much potential he has.

Metal Matty

Painful, but I have to agree with most of this.

Metal Matty

Actually, I don’t agree with the BAD ATTITUDE thing at all. I don’t know where you pulled that one out of…… but our defense is horse pucky when DeAndre is on the floor and without. This guy is NOT a legitimate center in the NBA if he has NO offense outside of dunks and cannot make any impact on D.

Josh not Josh

Honestly, I remember thinking “is this kid hungover” on the game after his 21st birthday. I love Bledsoe’s game and potential, so I really hope his head’s in the right place, and nothing serious is going on.

http://www.firedunleavy.com FD

The Bulls sure did very well after VDN left. A lot of factors did change though.

Van Gundy would be a nice wake up call for the Clippers. For a Dark Horse, I prefer Sam Cassell.

Griffin

Yes sir let’s get old sam to be one of the coaches for the clippers.

Bongstradamus

We’re bitching about our inexperienced coach and your solution is to: bring in an inexperienced coach.

Is this a fair assessment?

I want JVG. Make him the Jerry Sloan of LAC.

Griffin

Not an inexperince coach he’s an assitant coach and I would like to bring him on as a an assistant coach.also he would draw up plays for us to win those games when he was in la and with the twolves.trust cassell knows what he’s doing.

Griffin

Not an inexperince coach he’s an assitant coach and I would like to bring him on as a an assistant coach.also he would draw up plays for us to win those games when he was in la and with the twolves.trust cassell knows what he’s doing.

Griffin

Also I wouldn’t get him as a head coach doesn’t seem the type but jerry sloan idk he doesn’t have good relations with his players but I could take the risk cuz I know he could deliver us a playoff berth. But wat if we get deron williams I wonder hwo that would go down if we did get jerry sloan and we did get deron willaims how would that pan out(pipe dreamin) besides sloan said he retires so I don’t think he would come out of retirement and coach the clips

Bongstradamus

I dont think Sloan would come back unless it was the perfect situation. We definitely are not the perfect situation.

I think JVG is the best coach for our team.

AH

What about Rick Adelman? He and Nate McMillan in Portland have been a great job I think.

I also thought Eddie Jordan did well considering all the injuries to the Wizards during his tenure. He might be a retread though after the 76ers problems.

Bongstradamus

The Sacramento Kings with C-Webb, J-Dub, Peja, and Vlade were one of my favorite squads of all time. I love Rick Adelman.

Love JVG more though. That Knicks squad was amazing.

Metal Matty

Definitely not Adelman. He’s as overrated as they come.

http://www.firedunleavy.com FD

I don’t think the Clippers are going to change the coach anytime soon. I’m not a VDN fan, but no one could have coached the Clippers to the playoffs this year. At most there were maybe 5 losses he was responsible for. The team first has to hire a GM before they can make any coaching changes.

http://Lou Lou

FD
you do not need to change your name again, it fits perfectly.

How can you fire DS, he is the owner.

JaySee

You can’t fire the boss. Fire DelNegro

http://www.firedunleavy.com FD

FD is just for FD, like JaySee says you can’t fire Sterling.

Griffin

Who says u can’t this is america and if they can take half of bill gates assets away they can take ownership from donald sterling

Griffin

Who says u can’t this is america and if they can take half of bill gates assets away they can take ownership from donald sterling

DeMote DeAndre

I got the thing about DeAndre Jordan’s general trivial attitude first from an interview Eric Gordon gave in the LA Times his rookie season. Gordon was asked about the carefree attitude of two fellow rookies DeAndre Jordan and Mike Taylor and how they were often joking around etc. He was asked if he thought hd should be more like them. He answered in his now well known frank manner and said no, they didn’t take things seriously enough and they should be more like him (not vice versa). Since then, I’ve observed this tendency in Jordan in numerous ways. Sometimes it’s evident in his interivews, and sometimes it’s very evident on the court in the middle of the game.

Part of it probably comes from his not having taken basketball seriously growing up and instead coming late to the game. Another part of it may come from the fact he was always bigger than everyone and could jump high, and so around other high schoolers there wasn’t any reason to take things seriously. It seems to be a permanent part of his attitude and that is part of his problem.

I heard him the other day on a pregame interview, and he was fippantly saying how he was going to get his free throw percentage up into the 70s and how he was going to add a couple of good post moves. Well, the sad truth is that all of that talk is just flippant hot air. It’s empty. His free throw shooting and his post moves are the same as they were in high school. He seems to be so clueless about that simple truth that he doesn’t have any idea how clueless about it he is. That is also a part of his trivial attitude in general.

MV22

A veteran sf would make this team look entirely different. We’re playing 4 against 5 in every game. Eric Gordon’s game dropped like a rock since his wrist injury. Hopefully he regains his early season form next season. Mo Williams is ok but not a true point and better suited as the 3rd guard in a 3 guard rotation. Jordan still has upside yet dump writes about him as if he’s a finished product. The ignorance is overwhelming. DJ is a project. This is his first season of any pt. We won;t know what he’ll be for another 2 to 3 years. A jump in level of play out of Blake makes the entire team significantly better. The jump I’m looking for is a more consistent 17 foot jump shot and higher free throw %. As for the coaching staff, they get another year to prove themselves as far as I’m concerned except if there;s a mutiny by the players. This “protest” game might have been a tired, uninspired effort rather than an actual protest. We’re only speculating that it was a protest. BTW, what were they protesting if it was a protest game. Right now, the Clippers are not a very good team but they are a team full of upside potential and like someone above said, Avery Johnson, who many coveted didn’t exactly overwhelm in N.J. VDN coached at a .500 clip in Chicago without the benefit of Boozer, a 3rd year Rose, etc. Sure the Bulls jumped this year but it was in lock step with the improvement of Rose and the addition of Boozer to an already ok group. The same can happen right here with the improvement of Griffin and the addition of a SF (and maybe a few tweaks here and there).

I know he isnt a 3, but I think he’s clearly the best available given the mock draft.

Bongstradamus

Hah called him rider. Meant Thomas. I know we don’t have a need for him but I’m one to draft the best player and keep it as asset. If he was over 6 foot tall I’d expect he’d be a first round pick

newtybar

You do realize that we traded our first rounder for Mo right?

There is no draft this year…unless you are into second rounders.

Bongstradamus

This is a second rounder

Griffin

Hmm we dont need a short point guard who is shorter than jj barea unles the kid can domimate both ends of the court. I think the only way we would get this kid would be to trade him for a team who wants him

http://Lou Lou

It might be better to draft a Euro, keep him playing in Europe and bring him back in the 2012-2013 season.

DeMote DeAndre

I’m all right with Vinny Del Negro staying as coach. After the terrible start, the Clippers were better than last year, and that was with a fair amount of turmoil (Davis being Davis, Kaman’s injury) going on. I don’t have a strong opinion one way or the other on whether he’s a good or bad coach. Could be either way. I’m up for giving him another year to see what happens.

I certainly would like to see Jerry Sloan as coach. I think he’d do wonders for Griffin and Gordon, like he did for Malone and Stockton, and that alone might be enough to get him to take the job. It also might be enough to get Chris Paul or Dwight Howard or (maybe Deron Williams, though that could also be the opposite) to come to the Clippers. But aside from Sloan, I don’t see any reason to change coaches just to be changing them. Nobody else jumps out as special.

Metal Matty

You make a good point that we don’t need to be changing coaches “just to be changing”. A very good point. I’m disappointed in Big Vin thus far. But he DID have this team playing outstanding ball for a while there. Their best ball in years. So, PERHAPS patience is at a premium. That said, the defensive coach and Ivaroni must at a minimum, be dismissed. If they are NOT the problem, I am ok with cutting ties with Vinny even with no plan whatsoever as far as a replacement.

joeluis

We got our days counted with Blake so lets make the best with a true coach. blake wont stay if things keep staying the same. I’d say pleasure the boy like a priest would and give him what he wants.lol He is the franchise, he is the future. VDN did great with what he had to work with but he never performed under pressure, when the clock was ticking, when it mattered he couldnt draw a play.
Some of you are satisfied with the team’s performance this year and ofcourse it was expected for us not to make it to the playoffs, but if you think about it the Blazers had as many excuses as us and look at them.

DeMote DeAndre

I read in the paper today that Willie Warren got called up and activated for the final game. Does that say something about what’s going on with Bledsoe> Is Bledsoe still suspended? Why else would Warren be activated for the last game?

As I said before, if he’s a trouble maker, I don’t care how fast he is, they should boot him. This team doesn’t need anymore bad influences on Griffin and Gordon.

Bongstradamus

I thought you wanted to start him full time since hes obviously better and more pro than Baron according to you.

joeluis

So if Clippernation had to choose between Derron Williams or Jerry Sloan… who should we choose? I’d take Jerry, but knowing MR. DTS he would want to fill his pocket$ so he’ll take D-will im sure. what do you guys think? Jerry or Dwill as a clipper?

Metalo

Neither is an option, so what is the point in discussing. The point is, out coaches and players both failed on the whole this season. All is NOT lost. There are many positives but the culture change Clipper Nation has been waiting for for years has not come to fruition. Blake nor Vinny has made it happen, but we DO have talent. Identify the problems and be aggressive in fixing them. But player talent levell is strong so we gotta tinker on that end of things.

Griffin

Hey rome wasn’t built in a day neither changinng culture will be either.blake took a big crack at even though he was a rookie. I haven’t seen a rookie doo this much in a long time. Also saying deron willaims isn’t an option. Who are u kidding here. Deron willaims said it himslef. I would love to play with blake. I bet baron davis would do anything to be able to play with such an explosive player again. You all saw how happy baron was playing with blake. And we were the most exciting team. Sure winning means a lot but it will jsut be boring if we won like the lakers. U need excitement and when u have that with a good pg you will win a lot more games. Playing with blake is every pg dream u can tell.

http://www.firedunleavy.com FD

Summer league is canceled this year. That’s the only thing the Clippers have to look forward to. Bledsoe, Aminu and warren could have been there and the Clippers had a chance of winning it.

Metal Matty

That’s fine. Bledsoe and Aminu would be better spending this time dribbling 4 hrs a day alone in their back yards, perhaps inviting Eric Gordon over on occasion. But seriously, we need some REAL coaches. I think what we have right now are nice guys that will get us nowhere.

Griffin

Suggestion have eric gordon go spend time with good old pal derrick rose teach him how to control the ball and get more hops. You can do it. Just like last year. to aminu and bledsoe one bledsoe is on good terms with chris paul go learn from him and aminu idk ur out of luck lebron likes to drink margaritas in south beach in the summer. Blake and dj to houston and lest see how they develop